Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 23:11

But it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall wash [himself] with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp [again].

But it shall be, when evening cometh on,…. When the day declines, and it is near sun setting:

he shall wash himself with water; dip himself all over in water, not only wash his garments but his flesh:

and when the sun is down he shall come into the camp again; and take his place and rank in the army. Now if all this was necessary on account of ceremonial uncleanness, which as much as possible was to be avoided, how much more careful were they to be of moral uncleanness, as fornication, adultery, and all sorts of debauchery and lewdness? and yet nothing more frequent among those that are of the military order; it would be well if there was no occasion for the reproach Maimonides q casts upon the camps of the Heathens, among whom, no doubt, he means Christians, if not principally; when he observes that these orders were given, that this might be deeply fixed in the mind of every one, that their camp ought to be holy as the sanctuary of God, and not like the camps of the Gentiles, in which abound corruptions of all kinds, transgressions, rapines, thefts, and other sins.

q Moreh Nevochim, par. 3. c. 41.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

Deu 23:11 But it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall wash [himself] with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp [again].

Ver. 11. He shall wash himself with water. ] See Lev 15:1-33 See Trapp on “ Lev 15:2 “ &c. The Turks at this day pertinaciously and superstitiously retain this ceremony. Before prayers they wash both face and hands, sometimes the head and other parts. Yea, some report of them, that every time they make water, or other unclean exercise of nature, they wash, little regarding who stands by. If a dog do but chance to touch their hands, they wash presently, &c. a

a Blunt’s Voyage.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)